About the Bitterroot Valley

Nestled between two mountain ranges on the western edge of the state, the Bitterroot Valley offers uncommonly beautiful scenery and diverse recreational opportunities for everyone and every season - the perfect place to relax and unwind or experience adventure that will provide memories for a lifetime. The undemanding pace of the Valley allows you to choose to live as living was meant.

Bitterroot Magic: Lake Como in Summer

Don't forget to visit the Bitterroot Fly Company in our building. Offering the best in fly fishing equipment, a large selection of flies, and access to the best guides in the Bitterroot Valley, the Bitterroot Fly Company makes any fishing trip an easy adventure into the Montana Outback. Come in and visit the store located in the same building as Alpine Realty in the northern end of Darby or visit their website at http://www.bitterrootflycompany.com.

Spring

Spring brings new life and warmth to the valley and is a virtual paradise for bird watchers. Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,800-acre site along the Bitterroot River that provides undisturbed habitat for nesting osprey and other birds, wildlife and waterfowl. The Bitterroot Valley in the spring is perfect for the amateur or professional photographer. A drive through the valley, especially the East Fork, can almost assure you a look at newborn animals, both domestic and wild.

Summer

As summer approaches, the golf enthusiast hits the greens; the hiker, backpacker and bicyclist tackle the mountain trails; the rafters, canoers and fishermen can be found in the rivers, lakes and streams. There are more than 11 fishing accesses as well as many recommended hiking trails right off Highway 93. Floating or wading the Bitterroot River provides a fun diversion for all ages. The river has over 100 miles of fishable water and provides an excellent angling experience. Skalkaho Falls is awe inspiring in the early summer. Blodgett Canyon offers excellent rock climbing opportunities. Enjoy an adventurous horseback ride through the beautiful Bitterroot Mountains. Lots of events and fun festivals happen during the summer. Experience small town fun days, a pow wow, a bluegrass festival, a microbrew festival, and finish up the summer at the Ravalli County Fair.

Fall

Fall brings an enjoyable sporting season and the opportunity to experience the backcountry of the mountains whether you hunt with bow and arrow, rifle or your camera. Or enjoy watching the wildlife at the Lee Metcalf Refuge, Teller Wildlife Refuge or the East Fork. The Bitterroot National Forest contains 1.6 million acres, with nearly 750,000 of these protected as wilderness.

Winter

Welcome to winter wonderland in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana. If you want uncrowded pristine conditions and a vacation you won't forget - we've got it! For snowmobile enthusiasts, cross country advocates and downhill aficionados, Lost Trail and Chief Joseph Pass at the top of the historical Continental Divide is a winter recreation wonder. This area boasts of early and late snow with an average snowfall of 300 inches annually. Cross country skiers can choose from 33 groomed and ungroomed trails that cover the most spectacular country you'll ever see. Snowmobile the unspoiled trails of Skalkaho and Lost Trail. The trails will lead you near frozen waterfalls, past open meadows flanked by large Spruce and Douglas Fir trees. A friendly mountain paradise a long way from high prices and high fashion, Montana's friendliest winter ski resort is "Lost Trail Powder Mountain." The base elevation is 6,400 ft. and a summit elevation of 8,200 ft. with 25 runs. Ski Montana's greatest snow place with four double chairs and still growing.

About Darby, Montana

Darby is located in the south end of Ravalli County in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. The community of Darby stretches south to the Idaho border and north to Charlos Heights. The Bitterroot National Forest surrounds it. Over 1,200 people live in town and an estimate 3,000 live in the school district. Only 63 miles from Missoula, Darby can connect with the world via the Missoula International Airport and through the expanding telecommunications network. While being away from it all, you can still be in the middle of it all.

Darby has transformed itself from a town that thrived on the logging industry to a tourism mecca without losing its western heritage. Located in the middle of some of the best recreation lands in Montana, Darby is the perfect staging area for the recreation traveler. With hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing in the spring and summer, hunting in the fall, and cross-country and downhill skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, you're bound to find the activity to enjoy any time of the year.

Darby and the other communities in the Bitterroot Valley celebrate many festivals and community events during the year. On the last Saturday in June, you can attend Darby Fun Day which includes a parade, games, craft booths, fun run and town barbeque. On the third Saturday in July, the Darby Strawberry Festival gives the Darby residents and visitors a chance to meet and enjoy strawberries and shortcake. With this and other valley opportunites, residents and visitors alike will enjoy the events year-round.